Chances in TX MD

[Medicaln00b]

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I was reading up a lot on these posts and they are making me worried. I'm sort of new this information, but are people in this forum normally applying for top schools or instate in general? If all goes well for one's extra curriculum, what is the minimum MCAT score one would need for a 3.70gpa science to get accepted for an interview to each medical school in Texas?

And also, what if I never showed leadership in any of my extra curriculum, how much of a factor will this hurt one's chances to get an interview?
Thank you for inputs.

 

[longhorn09]

Hi, welcome to this forum!

Regarding to your question, I think that a well balance 30 MCAT is good enough. For you reference, TTECH EP's class of 2013 has the average gpa of 3.7 and average MCAT of 28. Other state schools are generally in the 28-32 range (excluding southwestern). Remember, the application process is not all about number, though. Good luck to your future application!

-longhorn09

 

[Medicaln00b]

Thanks for the input, as I do know my question depends on the applicant.
But how much do you think leadership would play a role?

 

[aggie08]

Give us a list of your ECs as they are now and we'll be able to judge if your leadership/lack-of is a big deal.

Your GPA is average, so you would (like he said) need a 30 to feel pretty comfortable in your app. I applied with a 3.7 and <30 MCAT, but my ECs, including leadership and research, were really extensive.

Just list out what you've done, instead of asking vague questions, and we'll be able to give you a better idea of what you need to do in the future. 🙂

 

[Medicaln00b]

3 semesters as currently of American Medical Student Association (after this semester 24hours of volunteering service) - still waiting to receive a reply that I can shadow...
American Red Cross (on call for 600hours, but only did 6hours of actual service) as a disaster action team ("front line disaster relief")
basketball/pingpong
I plan on volunteering at a medical hospital for 200+hours during the winter break

... as a sophomore with a biochemistry major, I don't have that much =/, but hopefully they will understand that a person with a biochem major has no life to begin with. So any advice?

 

[Mobius1985]

Since you are at the beginning of your sophomore year, you have time to get in the expected ECs. Having no life as a biochem major is no excuse, sorry to say. You need to demonstrate good time management by getting in the usual activities regardless.

Rather than 200 hours of medical volunteering over a winter break of a month, it is preferred that your clinical experience be acquired over about a year and a half at the rate of 4 hours per week (on the average). Long term dedication is valued over a quick, desperate racking up of hours. Shadowing can be done over breaks when you can fit it in, on the other hand. Try to shadow 2-3 docs for 8-40 hours each.

Get in some additional community service too. That's where I''d place your American Red Cross hours.

Also desired are leadership, teaching, and research. They are not required, but you'll want to get as many of these in as possible. Your sport hobbies should be listed too. List the AMSA also, as it shows you've been interested in medicine for awhile. The stronger your activities are, the better they help compensate for any weakness in your application.

 

[J ROD]

Min 28-29 MCAT. With good ECs....

 

[Medicaln00b]

Mobius, thanks for the advice, but do you have any minimal suggested hours I should be getting for teaching, community service, and clinical hours (you gave me a rough estimate for shadowing). I sort of need a goal in mind. Another question for research, which I forgot to have included. I've been doing this research for 2 semester, but I'm not getting any good results. So essentially, I've been doing these 12 step protocol over and over with different types of techniques and substances. I feel as if when interview comes, I will have nothing to talking about (that I've tried these steps for 2 semesters and no results came out of it). Would you suggest me continuing this research and wait till I get the result that I want? or should I just start another research project? And why?

 

[Mobius1985]

Clinical experience-150 hours gained at about 4 hours/week (if volunteer, it counts for community service, too). Teaching could be coaching, TA, tutoring middle school kids, etc.-a semester would be the minimum.

Two semesters of research is about average. You don't need more unless you aim for highly-selective schools. My research didn't get results either. I was grilled on my procedures by one of my interviewers to evaluate my problem solving skills, so be sure you can converse on the topic.